Donald Savastano was a 51 year old self-employed carpenter that wasn't able to afford healthcare insurance nor did he have a plan for retirement. But, it wasn't unusual for him to purchase scratch-off lottery tickets, and on Saturday, December 9, 2017, when he stopped at a gas station after work to purchase a lottery ticket, the only thing different this time was that he decided to purchase the Merry Millionaire lottery ticket.As luck would have it , he became the 97th New York lottery $1M winner for the year (2017).

The lump sum payment check totaling $661,800 after required withholdings, was awarded on Monday, January 8, 2018. ​"This is going change our lives, to tell you the truth," Savastano said when he picked up his winnings.

“Being a self-employed carpenter, I didn’t really have a plan for retirement,” Savastano explained. “The money will help with that. I don’t have any other extravagant plans. I’ll buy a new truck, pay off some debt and invest for the future.”​Savastano also planned to visit the doctor,he hadn't been feeling good for a while, andwhen he got the money he went in to the doctor,he was very sick and he had brain and lung cancer, 23 days after winning $1M, on Friday January 26, 2018, Donald Louis Savastano was dead (stage IV lung cancer)​

Our collective inability to understand that everything is connected has been cultivated over many years. We have been conditioned to believe that health is a single line event. But, it is not. Nor has it ever been. There are eight dimensions of wellness that must be optimized and woven together before we have any chance at being well, and subsequently healthy. I didn't have the opportunity to know Mr. Savastano personally; but, his death has emphasized the need for a new level of facilitating health and conversations about how wellness is key to health.

Ascend towards the light sir, with respect to your memory, and deepest condolences to your family and friends. We move forward into the movement that will heighten disease prevention, wellness, and authentic opportunities to be healthy and happy.

Donald Louis Savastano

​ October 30, 1966-January 26,2018

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